I had to make a Hidden in My Heart entry just to record the date 2-22-22! Kidding. I had to make an entry because my heart was overwhelmed with a truth I discovered in the morning watch.
Psalm 119 repeats the word live/revive over and over. I discovered that these are both the Hebrew word ḥāyâ. In some instances it means:
ḥāyâ: v. to revive from discouragement, to surely be made whole.
I’m not sure about you, but I’m seeing discouragement in droves. There are so many troubles, fear, depression, and deep sorrow all around me. Perhaps this is you. God knows exactly when our heart is struggling and needs to be revived. He knows how often we need to be made whole again. He knows He is the ONLY answer, and He wants us to come to Him in those times. If you’re seeking reviving in any other source, you simply will not find the help you need. Many times we do this subconsciously, rather than making a conscious decision to turn our face toward Him. Can you say self-love, self-care, self, self, self, self? What we need is not going to be found in ourselves. We’re bombarded with messages that are contrary to God’s word and empty pursuits that cannot satisfy or give true ḥāyâ. We’re witnessing a cultural “self” movement… a move away from the source of ḥāyâ, which is in God alone.
Keep reading if you relate to troubles. You may find encouragement and ḥāyâ in Psalm 119, as I did this morning.
First, I noticed that almost every time the word ḥāyâ is used in Psalm 119, it’s a request from the Psalmist to God for reviving, and life. The Psalmist needed something that only the Lord could supply and he’s humbling himself to admit his need and simply ask.
I am afflicted very much; revive (ḥāyâ) me, O LORD, according to Your word. Psalm 119:107
He’s saying, “I’m in the middle of so many hard things. I’m drowning. I’m struggling. Lord, will you revive me? I need Your help here. I am not whole. I know it’s according to Your word that I will find what I need.”
Second, I discovered that later in Psalm 138, David is no longer asking, but instead declares that God WILL revive (ḥāyâ) him.
Read Psalm 138, oh my discouraged friend! Notice how David begins by praising God and declaring wonderful truths about the reasons to praise his God with his whole heart. He then concludes that God WILL revive him and save him, and perfect that which concerns him. Notice the request has turned from “will you?” into “You WILL.”
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You WILL revive (ḥāyâ) me;
You WILL stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand WILL save me.
The Lord WILL perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands. Psalm 138:7-8
Careful attention to David’s words reveals that He is still in the midst of his trouble! He doesn’t say, “He HAS revived me.” He says only, He WILL. Although the process of ḥāyâ has begun, He’s still waiting on the Lord to fully answer His request and give him the restoration he seeks. And in the place of waiting, trusting God for ḥāyâ, He praises God.
David explains why he can be so certain God will do this for him, even though the trouble still remains:
In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:7-8
I see a direct correlation to the requests in Psalm 119 to be revived, and this new place David has arrived in Psalm 138 afterwards of boldness and strength. He didn’t find it in self-care, or self-love! Even though He was still in the midst of the trouble and still waiting on the Lord, He was given strength in his soul, and a boldness to rest in the promises of his God because God heard his cry and God began the process of ḥāyâ. He’s the only source!
Check it out…
DAVID’S CRY/REQUESTS:
Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live (ḥāyâ) and keep Your word. Psalm 119:17
…revive (ḥāyâ) me in Your way. Psalm 119:37
Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live (ḥāyâ); for Your law is my delight. Psalm 119:77
I am afflicted very much; revive (ḥāyâ) me, O LORD, according to Your word. Psalm 119:107
…Give me understanding, and I shall live (ḥāyâ). Psalm 119:144
AFTERWARDS, BUT STILL IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLE:
I will praise you with my whole heart… for your lovingkindness and your truth… Psalm 138:1,2
In the day when I cried out, you answered me. Psalm 138:3
You answered me and made me bold with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:3
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, YOU WILL revive (ḥāyâ) me. Psalm 138:7
Dearest friends and readers of Hidden in My Heart, I hope this encourages you today to enter into the presence of the God who gives ḥāyâ. It does me! The Psalmist knows it is God’s word that supplies it. I got a little taste of that this morning when I drew near. It was oh so very comforting in my trouble.
This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life (ḥāyâ). Psalm 119:50
